Officers described Delhi as a drug destination market; a transit corridor for interstate trafficking; and a digitally connected narcotics hub exploiting courier systems, encrypted communication networks and e-commerce platforms.Case records, complaint data, and tip-offs — that’s all it took for the Delhi Police to zero in on 123 areas across the Capital, identified as “Red Zones”, which, it says, form the backbone of the city’s drug trade, The Indian Express has learnt.The mapping exercise — which relies on records of cases filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, complaints received by police control rooms, and intelligence gathered through national narcotics helpline MANAS — is part of a broader effort to dismantle the city’s expanding drug distribution network, DCP, Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Rahul Alwal said.According to senior officials, Shahdara district emerged with the highest concentration of such drug hotspots. Among areas which topped the chart are Sultanpuri in northwest Delhi, Nand Nagri and Seemapuri in northeast Delhi, Ambedkar Nagar in south Delhi and the Narela Industrial Area in north Delhi.“Recognising the scale of the threat, the Delhi Police has shifted decisively from isolated arrests to a supply-chain disruption model — one designed to dismantle the entire ecosystem of suppliers, financiers, transporters, and distributors rather than only apprehending those at the bottom of the chain. The identification of hotspots is one of the key steps taken to dismantle the drug economy,” DCP Alwal said.After the hotspots were identified, the ANTF intensified coordination with paramilitary units on raids, expanded surveillance operations and increased monitoring of repeat offenders, officers said.Authorities said such data-driven approach had already led to a rise in enforcement activities: cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act rose from 1,179 in 2022 to 2,154 in 2025, while arrests rose from 1,499 to 2,853 during the same period. “Analysis of cases filed under the NDPS Act, and MANAS or PCR call records helped us in scientific mapping of narcotics hotspots and 123 ‘Red Zones’ were thus identified across the Capital,” said Additional CP (ANTF) Abhishek Dhania.The mapping of the said hotspots, according to officers, would strengthen the special drives undertaken by the Delhi Police. For instance, an official said, data fetched from these hotspots are used during anti-narcotics drives like Operation KAVACH. “Under this operation, during 13 major rounds, we have carried out 12,905 raids, 98,469 people were detained for verification and preventive action, over 2,853 arrests were made in 2025 alone, and assets worth Rs 39.5 crore were seized from 90 traffickers,” Additional CP Dhania highlighted.Story continues below this adThe current crackdown comes amid growing political pressure to curb narcotics trafficking across the country. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has pledged to dismantle domestic drug cartels by 2029, while Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has called for a drug-free Delhi by 2027.Officers described Delhi as a drug destination market; a transit corridor for interstate trafficking; and a digitally connected narcotics hub exploiting courier systems, encrypted communication networks and e-commerce platforms. “In these circumstances, data on hotspots would enable us to keep a close watch on interstate syndicates, financial networks, and technology-enabled supply chains,” DCP Alwal added.Officers added that 452 repeat offenders and 40 “high-risk” traffickers are already on “special surveillance”.Sakshi Chand is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. With over a decade of experience in investigative journalism, she is a leading voice on crime, the prison system, and institutional governance in the National Capital. Professional Background Specialization: Her reporting focus includes high-stakes crime, national security, prison reforms, and traffic governance. Key Coverage: She has been on the frontlines of major events such as the 2G spectrum case, the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, and communal clashes across Uttar Pradesh (Kasganj, Aligarh). Earlier Career: Before joining The Indian Express, she was a reporter for The Times of India. Personal Interests: Outside of her career in journalism, Sakshi is a National-level basketball player and coach, bringing a unique sporting discipline to her professional life. Major Recent Coverage (Late 2025) Her reporting in the latter half of 2025 has been dominated by a major terror investigation and administrative accountability: 1. The Red Fort Blast Investigation Throughout November and December 2025, Sakshi led the coverage of a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort: Forensic Breakthroughs: She reported on the use of TATP and ammonium nitrate in the IED and identified the shops where raw materials were sourced (Nov 14-16, 2025). The "i20 Route": She meticulously tracked the journey of the vehicle used in the blast, tracing it to a Pulwama-based resident who entered Delhi via the Badarpur toll plaza (Nov 12, 2025). Victim Support: She recently reported on the Delhi Police providing a list of damaged vehicle owners to the Finance Ministry to expedite insurance claims for those caught in the blast (Dec 4, 2025). 2. Crime & Police Accountability "Crackdown on Extortion Gangs": In December 2025, she reported on a syndicate that was blackmailing traffic cops. Following five arrests, the Special CP directed officers to report all such attempts (Dec 12, 2025). "Corruption in the Ranks": She covered the arrest of five Delhi Police personnel by the Vigilance branch following a wave of public complaints (May 19, 2025). Cold Cases & International Murders: She has extensively tracked the case of a man who allegedly killed his wife in London and fled to India, reporting on his "Proclaimed Offender" status and the denial of his anticipatory bail (May 2025). 3. Governance & Public Policy "13,000 Homes for 90,000 Cops": A data-driven feature on why the majority of Delhi Police personnel are forced to live on rent despite the city's housing projects (May 4, 2025). Traffic Decongestion: Using her interest in urban logistics, she detailed how the Traffic Police eased congestion on Vikas Marg by switching off signals and creating U-turns (April 2, 2025). Signature Style Sakshi Chand is known for a data-driven and investigative approach. She frequently uses forensic reports, CCTV analysis, and administrative data to go beyond the "official version" of a crime story. Her work in prison reporting is particularly noted for highlighting the legal and humanitarian conditions of foreign detention centers and local jails. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Delhi PoliceNew Delhi